AU2005240932B2

AU2005240932B2 - Rotary fluid machine

Info

Publication number: AU2005240932B2
Application number: AU2005240932A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Masanori Masuda
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-11
Filing date: 2005-05-11
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-11
Also published as: JP3757977B2; CN1961154A; EP1662145A4; AU2005240932A1; CN100487250C; JP2005320929A; US20080240958A1; WO2005108795A1; KR100850847B1; US7549851B2; EP1662145A1; KR20070010082A

Description

1 ROTARY FLUID MACHINE Technical Field The present invention relates to a rotary fluid machine, particularly to measures for controlling force exerted in the axial direction.

Background Art As a conventional example of a fluid machine, Patent Publication 1 discloses a compressor having an eccentric rotation piston mechanism achieved by a cylinder having an annular cylinder chamber and an annular piston which is contained in the cylinder chamber to make eccentric rotation. The fluid machine compresses a refrigerant by making use of volumetric change in the cylinder chamber caused by the eccentric rotation of the piston.

Patent Publication 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H6-288358 Summary The conventional fluid machine has only a single piston mechanism which is connected to a motor. Therefore, it has been required a component for receiving fluid pressure applied in the axial direction of a drive shaft. More specifically, the piston in the conventional fluid machine is pressed by the cylinder due to the compressed fluid pressure. As a result, a large slide loss occurs between the piston and cylinder, thereby impairing the efficiency.

In light of the above, the present invention has been achieved. There exists a need to reduce the fluid pressure in the axial direction to reduce the slide loss, thereby improving the efficiency.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a rotary fluid machine comprising a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism, each of which including: a cylinder having an annular cylinder chamber; an annular piston which is contained in the cylinder chamber to be eccentric to the cylinder and divides the cylinder chamber into an outer working chamber and an inner working chamber; and a blade which is arranged in the cylinder chamber to divide each of the working chambers into a high pressure region and a low pressure region, the piston and the cylinder serving as co-operating parts and any one of the piston and the cylinder being stationary and the other being moving such that the moving part rotates about the stationary part. The first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are AH21(1931136 I):MLW arranged to be adjacent to each other with a partition plate sandwiched therebetween and the two moving parts or the two stationary parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged such that one of the co-operating parts is provided at one side of the partition plate and the other is provided at the other side of the s partition plate. In addition, the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are configured to rotate with a 900 phase difference from each other.

According to the first aspect, when the first and second rotation mechanisms are actuated, the moving parts of the co-operating parts rotate relative to the stationary parts of the co-operating parts to change the volumes of the working chambers. Thus, a fluid is 1o compressed or expanded. Discharge occurs four times while the drive shaft makes a single rotation. Therefore, torque fluctuations are reduced.

A rotary fluid machine according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism, each of which including: a cylinder having an annular cylinder chamber; an annular piston which is contained in the cylinder chamber to be eccentric to the cylinder and divides the cylinder chamber into an outer working chamber and an inner working chamber; and a blade which is arranged in the cylinder chamber to divide each of the working chambers into a high pressure region and a low pressure region, the piston and the cylinder serving as cooperating parts and any one of the piston and the cylinder being stationary and the other being moving such that the moving co-operating part rotates about the stationary cooperating part. The first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged to be adjacent to each other with a partition plate sandwiched therebetween. The two moving co-operating parts or the two stationary co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged such that one of the cooperating parts is provided at one side of the partition plate and the other is provided at the other side of the partition plate. The first and second rotation mechanism are arranged between two housings in the casing and the moving co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft. Further, a compliance mechanism for adjusting the positions of the co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms in the axial direction of the drive shaft is provided. The compliance mechanism is configured to fix one housing to the casing and allow the other housing to be movable in the axial direction of the drive shaft such that gaps between the cooperating parts in the axial direction are adjusted by the action of a high pressure fluid on the back surface of the movable housing.

AH21(1931136 1):MLW 3 According to the second aspect, when the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are driven, the moving co-operating parts rotate about the stationary co-operating parts, respectively. As a result, the volumes of the working chambers are varied to cause compression or expansion of a fluid. In particular, leakage from the ends of the co-operating parts is prevented by the axial compliance mechanism.

According to a third aspect related to the first or second aspect invention, the inner working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism serve as a low-stage compression chambers and the outer working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the io second rotation mechanism serve as high-stage compression chambers.

According to the third aspect, a fluid is compressed in two stages in the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism.

According to a fourth aspect related to the first or second aspect, the outer working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the is second rotation mechanism serve as compression chambers and the inner working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism serve as expansion chambers.

According to the fourth aspect, compression and expansion of a fluid are carried out in the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism.

According to a fifth aspect related to the first or second aspect, the partition plate serves as the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism.

According to a sixth aspect related to the first or second aspect, the co-operating part of the first rotation mechanism and the co-operating part of the second rotation mechanism adjacent to the first rotation mechanism have individual end plates and the partition plate is formed of the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms.

According to a seventh aspect related to the first aspect, the moving co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft and each of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism is provided with a compliance mechanism for adjusting the position of the co-operating parts in the axial direction of the drive shaft.

In the seventh aspect, leakage from the ends of the co-operating parts is prevented by the axial compliance mechanism.

AH21(1931136 1):MLW V According to an eighth aspect related to the first or second aspect, the moving N co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive c shaft and each of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism is provided with a compliance mechanism for adjusting the position of the co-operating parts in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft.

In the eighth aspect, gaps that occur between the co-operating parts in the radius direction are reduced to a minimum, respectively, by the compliance mechanism for adjustment in the orthogonal direction.

N, According to a ninth aspect related to the sixth aspect, the moving parts of the IO co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft and a balance weight is provided at part of the drive shaft located between the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism adjacent to each other.

In the ninth aspect, the balance weight eliminates imbalance caused by the Is rotation of the co-operating parts.

According to a tenth aspect related to the second aspect, the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are configured to rotate with a 90" phase difference from each other.

In the tenth aspect, discharge occurs four times while the drive shaft makes a single rotation. Therefore, torque fluctuations are reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect related to the first or second aspect, in each of the first and second rotation mechanisms, part of the annular piston is cut off such that the piston is C-shaped, the blade extends from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface of the cylinder chamber and passes through the cut-off portion of the piston and a swing bushing is provided in the cut-off portion of the piston to contact the piston and the blade via the surfaces thereof such that the blade freely reciprocates and the blade and the piston make relative swings.

In the eleventh aspect, the blade reciprocates through the swing bushing and the blade swings together with the swing bushing relative to the piston. Accordingly, the cylinder and the piston make relative swings and rotations, whereby the rotation mechanisms achieve predetermined work such as compression.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the working chambers are provided in both of the two rotation mechanisms with the end plates of the co-operating parts sandwiched therebetween. Therefore, fluid pressures exerted on the two co- AH21(1931136 I):MLW operating parts cancel out each other. Further, losses of the sliding parts caused by the N rotation of the co-operating parts are reduced, thereby improving the efficiency.

c According to the first and tenth aspects, in particular, the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism rotate with a 90' phase difference from each other and discharge occurs four times as the drive shaft makes a single rotation.

N, Therefore, the torque fluctuations are significantly reduced.

Further, according to the second and seventh aspects, leakage from the ends of the co-operating parts is surely prevented because the axial compliance mechanism is In provided. In particular, as the two rotation mechanisms are provided, the compliance mechanism is simplified and the gaps between the ends of the co-operating parts are reduced.

According to the fifth aspect, the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms and are integrated. Therefore, the co-operating parts are prevented from leaning (overturning). This allows smooth movement of the co-operating Is parts.

According to the sixth aspect, the cylinder of the first rotation mechanism and the co-operating part of the second rotation mechanism are separated. Therefore, thrust losses do not occur and the co-operating parts are moved separately.

According to the eighth aspect, the compliance mechanism for adjustment in the direction orthogonal to the drive shaft is provided. Therefore, the co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms move in the radius direction, thereby adjusting the gaps between the co-operating parts in the radius direction separately. As a result, thrust losses do not occur and the gaps between the co-operating parts in the radius direction are reduced.

According to the ninth aspect, the balance weight is used. Therefore, the imbalance caused by the rotation of the co-operating parts is eliminated.

Further, since the balance weight is provided between the first and second rotation mechanisms, the drive shaft is prevented from flexure.

According to the eleventh aspect, the swing bushing is provided as a connector for connecting the piston and the blade such that the swing bushing substantially contacts the piston and the blade via the surfaces thereof. Therefore, the piston and the blade are prevented from wearing away and seizing up at the contacting parts during operation.

As the swing bushing, piston and blade are in contact with each other via the surfaces thereof, the contacting parts are sealed with reliability. Therefore, the leakage of AH21(|931136 I):MLW the refrigerant from the compression chamber and the expansion chamber are surely prevented, thereby preventing a decrease in compression efficiency.

Moreover, as the blade is configured as an integral part of the cylinder and supported by the cylinder at both ends thereof, the blade is less likely to receive abnormal concentrated load and stress concentration is less likely to occur during operation.

Therefore, the sliding parts are less prone to be damaged, thereby improving the reliability of the mechanism.

Brief Description of Drawings AH21(1931136 1):MLW [0034] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a compressor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross section of a compressor mechanism.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are horizontal cross sections illustrating how the compressor mechanism works.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section of a compressor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section of a compressor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section of a compressor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating torque fluctuations according to other embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS [0035] 1 Compressor Casing Compressor mechanism 2F First rotation mechanism 2S Second rotation mechanism 21 Cylinder 22 Piston 23 Blade 24 Outer cylinder 25 Inner cylinder 27 Swing bushing Motor (drive mechanism) Drive shaft Cylinder chamber Outer compression chamber Inner compression chamber Compliance mechanism Pin Balance weight BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0037] (First Embodiment) In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a compressor as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The compressor is provided in a refrigerant circuit, for example.

[0038] The refrigerant circuit is configured to perform at least cooling or heating.

Specifically, the refrigerant circuit includes, an exterior heat exchanger serving as a heat source-side heat exchanger, an expansion valve serving as an expansion mechanism and an interior heat exchanger serving as a use-side heat exchanger which are connected in this order to the compressor A refrigerant compressed by the compressor releases heat in the exterior heat exchanger and expands at the expansion valve. Then, the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the interior heat exchanger and returns to the compressor By repeating the circulation in this manner, the room air is cooled in the interior heat exchanger.

[0039] The compressor is a completely hermetic rotary fluid machine including a compressor mechanism (20) and a motor (30) contained in a casing [0040] The casing (10) includes a cylindrical barrel a top end plate (12) fixed to the top end of the barrel (11) and a bottom end plate (13) fixed to the bottom end of the barrel A suction pipe (14) penetrates the top end plate (12) and is connected to the interior heat exchanger. A discharge pipe (15) penetrates the barrel (11) and is connected to the exterior heat exchanger.

[0041] The motor (30) is a drive mechanism and includes a stator (31) and a rotor (32).

The stator (31) is arranged below the compressor mechanism (20) and fixed to the barrel (11) of the casing A drive shaft (33) is connected to the rotor (32) such that the drive shaft (33) rotates together with the rotor (32).

[0042] The drive shaft (33) has a lubrication path (not shown) extending within the drive shaft (33) in the axial direction. At the bottom end of the drive shaft a lubrication pump (34) is provided. The lubrication path extends upward from the lubrication pump (34) such that lubricating oil accumulated in the bottom of the casing is supplied to sliding parts of the compressor mechanism (20) through the lubrication pump (34).

[0043] The drive shaft (33) includes an eccentric part (35) at the upper part thereof.

The eccentric part (35) is larger in diameter than the other parts of the drive shaft above and below the eccentric part (35) and deviated from the center of the drive shaft (33) by a certain amount.

[0044] The compressor mechanism (20) is a rotation mechanism including a first rotation mechanism (2F) and a second rotation mechanism The compressor mechanism (20) is provided between a top housing (16) and a bottom housing (17) which are fixed to the casing Although the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the second rotation mechanism (2S) are configured to be inverted upside down, their structures are the same. Thus, for explanation, the first rotation mechanism (2F) is taken as an example.

[0045] The first rotation mechanism (2F) includes a cylinder (21) having an annular cylinder chamber an annular piston (22) which is contained in the cylinder chamber and divides the cylinder chamber (50) into an outer compressor chamber (51) and an inner compressor chamber (52) and a blade (23) which divides each of the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) into a high pressure region and a low pressure region as shown in FIG. 2. The piston (22) in the cylinder chamber (50) is configured such that eccentric rotations are made relative to the cylinder Specifically, relative eccentric rotations are made by the piston (22) and the cylinder In the first embodiment, the cylinder (21) having the cylinder chamber (50) and the piston (22) contained in the cylinder chamber (50) serve as co-operating parts and the cylinder (21) is moving and the piston (22) is stationary.

[0046] The cylinder (21) includes an outer cylinder (24) and an inner cylinder The outer and inner cylinders (24) and (25) are connected in one piece at the bottom by an end plate The inner cylinder (25) is slidably fitted around the eccentric part (35) of the drive shaft That is, the drive shaft (33) penetrates the cylinder chamber (50) in the vertical direction.

[0047] The piston (22) is integrated with the top housing The top and bottom housings (16) and (17) are provided with bearings (18) and (19) for supporting the drive shaft respectively. Thus, in the compressor of the present embodiment, the drive shaft (33) penetrates the cylinder chamber (50) in the vertical direction and parts of the drive shaft sandwiching the eccentric part (35) in the axial direction are supported by the casing (10) via the bearings (18) and (19).

[0048] The first rotation mechanism (2F) includes a swing bushing (27) for connecting the piston (22) and the blade (23) in a movable manner. The piston (22) is in the form of a ring partially cut off, C-shaped. The blade (23) is configured to extend from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface of the cylinder chamber (50) in the direction of the radius of the cylinder chamber (50) to pass through the cut-off portion of the piston (22) and fixed to the outer and inner cylinders (24) and The swing bushing (27) serves as a connector for connecting the piston (22) and the blade (23) at the cut-off portion of the piston (22).

[0049] The inner circumference surface of the outer cylinder (24) and the outer circumference surface of the inner cylinder (25) are surfaces of concentric cylinders, respectively, and a single cylinder chamber (50) is formed between them. The outer circumference of the piston (22) yields a smaller diameter than the diameter given by the inner circumference of the outer cylinder while the inner circumference of the piston (22) yields a larger diameter than the diameter given by the outer circumference of the inner cylinder According to the structure, an outer compression chamber (51) as a working chamber is formed between the outer circumference surface of the piston (22) and the inner circumference surface of the outer cylinder (24) and an inner compression chamber (52) as a working chamber is formed between the inner circumference surface of the piston (22) and the outer circumference surface of the inner cylinder [0050] When the outer circumference surface of the piston (22) and the inner circumference surface of the outer cylinder (24) are substantially in contact with each other at a certain point (there is a micron-order gap between them in a strict sense, but refrigerant leakage from the gap is negligible), the inner circumference surface of the piston (22) and the outer circumference surface of the inner cylinder (25) come into contact with each other at a point having a phase 1800 different from the certain point.

[0051] The swing bushing (27) includes a discharge-side bushing (2a) which is positioned closer to the discharge side than the blade (23) and a suction-side bushing (2b) which is positioned closer to the suction side than the blade The discharge-side bushing (2a) and the suction-side bushing (2b) are in the same semicircle shape when viewed in section and arranged such that their flat surfaces face each other. Space between the discharge-side bushing (2a) and the suction-side bushing (2b) serves as a blade slit (28).

[0052] The blade (23) is inserted into the blade slit The flat surfaces of the swing bushing (27) are substantially in contact with the blade The arc-shaped outer circumference surfaces of the swing bushing (27) are substantially in contact with the piston The swing bushing (27) is configured such that the blade (23) inserted in the blade slit (28) reciprocates in the direction of its surface within the blade slit (28).

Further, the swing bushing (27) is configured to swing together with the blade (23) relative to the piston Therefore, the swing bushing (27) is configured such that the blade (23) and the piston (22) can make relative swings at the center of the swing bushing (27) and the blade (23) can reciprocate relative to the piston (22) in the direction of the surface of the blade (23).

[0053] In the present embodiment, the discharge-side bushing (2a) and the suction-side bushing (2b) are separated. However, the bushings (2a) and (2b) may be connected at any part in one piece.

[0054] In the above-described structure, when the drive shaft (33) rotates, the blade (23) reciprocates within the blade slit (28) and the outer cylinder (24) and the inner cylinder (25) swing at the center of the swing bushing According to the swing movement, the contact point between the piston (22) and the cylinder (21) is shifted in the order shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D. At this time, the outer and inner cylinders (24) and go around about the drive shaft (33) but do not spin by themselves.

[0055] The outer compressor chamber (51) outside the piston (22) decreases in volume in the order shown in FIGS. 3C, 3D, 3A and 3B. The inner compressor chamber (52) inside the piston (22) decreases in volume in the order shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D.

[0056] The second rotation mechanism (2S) is inverted upside down from the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the piston (22) therein is integrated with the bottom housing Specifically, the piston (22) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the piston (22) of the second rotation mechanism (25) are inverted upside down.

[0057] The cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) includes an outer cylinder (24) and an inner cylinder The outer and inner cylinders (24) and (25) are connected in one piece at the top by an end plate The inner cylinder (25) is slidably fitted around the eccentric part (35) of the drive shaft (33).

[0058] The cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) are integrated. Further, the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) provide a single partition plate (2c).

Specifically, the partition plate (2c) serves as the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism The cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) is provided at one of the sides of the partition plate while the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) is provided at the other side of the partition plate (2c).

[0059] A top cover plate (40) is provided on the top housing (16) and a bottom cover plate (41) is provided below the bottom housing In the casing space above the top cover plate (40) is defined as suction space (4a) and space below the bottom cover plate (41) is defined as discharge space An end of the suction pipe (14) is opened in the suction space (4a) and an end of the discharge pipe (15) is opened in the discharge space (4b).

[0060] A first chamber (4c) and a second chamber (4d) are formed between the bottom housing (17) and the bottom cover plate Further, a third chamber (4e) is formed between the top housing (16) and the top cover plate [0061] Each of the top housing (16) and the bottom housing (17) has a vertical hole (42) which penetrates the top housing (16) or the bottom housing (17) in the axial direction.

Each of the vertical holes (42) is elongated in shape in the radius direction. Between the top housing (16) and the bottom housing a pocket (4f) is formed along the outer circumference surface of the outer cylinder The pocket (4f) communicates with the suction space (4a) through the vertical hole (42) of the top housing (16) to keep the pressure in the atmosphere of the pocket (4f) at a low suction pressure. Further, the pocket (40) communicates with the first chamber (4c) through the vertical hole (42) of the bottom cover plate (41) to keep the pressure in the atmosphere of the first chamber (4c) at a low suction pressure.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2, the vertical holes (42) of the top housing (16) and the bottom housing (17) are positioned at the right of the blade Through the vertical holes (42) which are opened to the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52), the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) communicate with the suction space (4a).

[0063] The outer cylinder (24) and the piston (22) have horizontal holes (43) penetrating in the radius direction, respectively. Referring to FIG. 2, the horizontal holes (43) are positioned at the right of the blade The outer compression chamber (51) and the pocket (41) communicate with each other through the horizontal hole (43) of the outer cylinder whereby the outer compression chamber (51) communicates with the suction space Further, the inner compression chamber (52) and the outer compression chamber (51) communicate with each other through the horizontal hole (43) of the piston whereby the inner compression chamber (52) communicates with the suction space The vertical hole (42) and the horizontal holes (43) serve as suction ports for a refrigerant. Only one of the vertical hole (43) and the horizontal holes (43) may be formed as the refrigerant suction port.

[0064] The top housing (16) has discharge ports (44) and the bottom housing (17) also has discharge ports The discharge ports (44) penetrate the top housing (16) or the bottom housing (17) in the axial direction. In each of the top and bottom housings (16) and one of the two discharge ports (44) faces the high pressure region of the outer compressor chamber (51) at one end and the other discharge port (44) faces the high pressure region of the inner compressor chamber (52) at one end. Specifically, the discharge ports (44) are formed near the blade (23) and positioned opposite to the vertical hole (42) relative to the blade The other ends of the discharge ports (44) communicate with the second chamber (4d) or the third chamber At the outside ends of the discharge ports discharge valves (45) are provided as reed valves for opening/closing the discharge ports (44).

[0065] The second chamber (4d) and the third chamber (4e) communicate with each other through a discharge path (4g) formed in the top and bottom housings (16) and (17).

The second chamber (4d) thus communicates with the discharge space (4b).

[0066] Seal rings (6a, 6b) are provided at the end faces of the outer cylinder (24) and the piston The seal rings (6a) at the outer cylinder (24) are pressed toward the top housing (16) and the bottom housing respectively, and the seal rings (6b) at the piston (22) are pressed toward the end plate (26) of the cylinder With this structure, the seal rings (6a, 6b) serve as a compliance mechanism (60) for adjusting the position of the cylinder (21) in the axial direction, thereby reducing the gaps that occur in the axial direction between the piston cylinder top housing (16) and bottom housing (17).

[0067] -Operation- Next, an explanation of how the compressor works is provided.

[0068] When the motor (30) is actuated, the rotation of the rotor (32) is transferred to the outer and inner cylinders (24) and (25) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the outer and inner cylinders (24) and (25) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) via the drive shaft Then, in each of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and the blade (23) reciprocates through the swing bushing while the blade (23) and the swing bushing (27) swing together relative to the piston As a result, the outer and inner cylinders (24) and (25) swing and rotate relative to the piston The first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) thus perform compression as required.

[0069] Specifically, in the first rotation mechanism when the drive shaft (33) rotates to the right while the piston (22) is at the top dead center as shown in FIG. 3C, suction starts in the outer compression chamber As the state of the first rotation mechanism (2F) changes in the order shown in FIGS. 3D, 3A and 3B, the outer compressor chamber (51) increases in volume and the refrigerant is sucked therein through the vertical hole (42) and the horizontal holes (43).

[0070] When the piston (22) is at the top dead center as shown in FIG. 3C, the outer compressor chamber (51) forms a single chamber outside the piston In this state, the volume of the outer compressor chamber (51) is substantially the maximum. Then, as the drive shaft (33) rotates to the right to change the state of the first rotation mechanism (2F) in the order shown in FIGS. 3D, 3A and 3B, the outer compressor chamber (51) decreases in volume and the refrigerant therein is compressed. When the pressure in the outer compressor chamber (51) reaches a predetermined value and the differential pressure between the outer compressor chamber (51) and the discharge space (4b) reaches a specified value, the discharge valves (45) are opened by the high pressure refrigerant in the outer compressor chamber Thus, the high pressure refrigerant is released from the discharge space (4b) into the discharge pipe [0071] In the inner compressor chamber suction starts when the drive shaft (33) rotates to the right from the state where the piston (22) is at the bottom dead center as shown in FIG. 3A. As the state of the first rotation mechanism (2F) changes in the order shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D, the inner compressor chamber (52) increases in volume and the refrigerant is sucked therein through the vertical hole (42) and the horizontal holes (43).

[0072] When the piston (22) is at the bottom dead center as shown in FIG. 3A, the inner compressor chamber (51) forms a single chamber inside the piston In this state, the volume of the inner compressor chamber (52) is substantially the maximum. Then, as the drive shaft (33) rotates to the right to change the state of the first rotation mechanism (2F) in the order shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D, the inner compressor chamber (52) decreases in volume and the refrigerant therein is compressed. When the pressure in the inner compressor chamber (52) reaches a predetermined value and the differential pressure between the inner compressor chamber (52) and the discharge space (4b) reaches a specified value, the discharge valves (45) are opened by the high pressure refrigerant in the inner compressor chamber Thus, the high pressure refrigerant is released from the discharge space (4b) into the discharge pipe [0073] The same compression occurs also in the second rotation mechanism (2S) as in the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the high pressure refrigerant is released from the discharge space (4b) into the discharge pipe [0074] The high pressure refrigerant compressed in the outer compression chambers (51) and the inner compression chambers (52) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) is condensed in the exterior heat exchanger. The condensed refrigerant expands at the expansion valve and evaporates in the interior heat exchanger. Then, the low pressure refrigerant returns to the outer compression chambers (51) and the inner compression chambers The circulation occurs in this manner.

[0075] During the compression in the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and refrigerant pressure in the axial direction is exerted. However, the refrigerant pressure exerted in the axial direction in the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the refrigerant pressure exerted in the axial direction in the second rotation mechanism (2S) cancel out each other. Specifically, the refrigerant pressure exerted in the axial direction in the first rotation mechanism (2F) presses the cylinder (21) downward, while the refrigerant pressure exerted in the axial direction in the second rotation mechanism (2S) presses the cylinder (21) upward. As a result, the refrigerant pressures exerted on the two cylinders (21) are eliminated.

[0076] -Effect of the First Embodiment- As described above, according to the first embodiment, the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) are provided at both sides of the end plate (26) located between the two cylinders Therefore, the refrigerant pressures exerted on the two cylinders (21) are eliminated. Thus, losses of the sliding parts due to the rotation of the cylinders (21) are reduced, thereby improving the efficiency.

[0077] As the end plates (26) of the cylinders (21) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are integrated, the cylinder (21) is prevented from leaning (overturning). This allows smooth movement of the cylinders (21).

[0078] Further, leakage from the ends of the cylinder (21) and the ends of the pistons (22) is surely prevented because the axial compliance mechanism (60) is provided. In particular, as the two rotation mechanisms (2F, 2S) are provided, the compliance mechanism (60) is simplified and the gaps between the ends of the cylinders (21) and the ends of the pistons (22) are reduced.

[0079] The swing bushing (27) is provided as a connector for connecting the piston (22) and the blade (23) such that the swing bushing (27) substantially contacts the piston (22) and the blade (23) via the surfaces thereof. Therefore, the piston (22) and the blade (23) are prevented from wearing away and seizing up at the contacting parts during operation.

[0080] As the swing bushing piston (22) and blade (23) are in contact with each other via the surfaces thereof, the contacting parts are sealed with reliability. Therefore, the leakage of the refrigerant from the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) are surely prevented, thereby preventing a decrease in compression efficiency.

[0081] Moreover, as the blade (23) is configured as an integral part of the cylinder (21) and supported by the cylinder (21) at both ends thereof, the blade (23) is less likely to receive abnormal concentrated load and stress concentration is less likely to occur during operation. Therefore, the sliding parts are less prone to be damaged, thereby improving the reliability of the mechanism.

[0082] (Second Embodiment) Unlike the top housing (16) of the first embodiment fixed to the casing the top housing (16) of the present embodiment is configured to be movable in the axial direction and space below the bottom cover plate (41) is used as the suction space (4a) as shown in FIG. 4.

[0083] Specifically, the top housing (16) is provided in the casing (10) to be movable in the axial (vertical) direction. The top housing (16) is fitted with pins (70) provided at the periphery of the bottom housing (17) so that it moves in the axial direction along the pins [0084] The top cover plate (40) attached to the top housing (16) has a cylindrical part (71) at the center thereof The cylindrical part (71) is movably inserted into a center opening in a support plate The support plate (72) is disc-shaped and attached to the casing (10) at the periphery thereof With this structure, a compliance mechanism for the axial direction is provided. A seal ring (73) is fitted around the cylindrical part (71) of the top cover plate (40) for sealing between the cylindrical part (71) and the support plate (72).

[0085] A suction pipe (14) is connected to the barrel (11) of the casing (10) and a discharge pipe (15) is connected to the end plate Space below the bottom cover plate (41) serves as the suction space (4a) and space above the support plate (72) serves as the discharge space (4b).

[0086] The first chamber (4c) according to the first embodiment is omitted and the pocket (4f) between the top and bottom cover plates (40) and (41) communicates with the suction space (4a) through the vertical hole (42) formed in the bottom cover plate (41).

The top opening of the vertical hole (42) in the top cover plate (40) is closed.

[0087] The third chamber (4e) between the top cover plate (40) and the top housing (16) communicates with the discharge space (4b) through the cylindrical part while the second chamber (4d) between the bottom cover plate (41) and the bottom housing (17) communicates with the third chamber (4e) through the discharge path (4g) formed in the drive shaft (33).

[0088] The discharge path (4g) according to the first embodiment is omitted and the bottom end of the drive shaft (33) is supported by the casing (10) via a bearing (74).

Specifically, the bearing (18) for the top housing (16) used in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0089] Thus, also in the present embodiment, a refrigerant is compressed in the outer compression chambers (51) and the inner compression chambers (52) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) on the rotation of the drive shaft At this time, the gaps that occur in the axial direction between the piston cylinder top housing (16) and bottom housing (17) are adjusted to a minimum by the compliance mechanism Other structural features and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0090] (Third Embodiment) Unlike the first embodiment in which the cylinders (21) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are integrated, the cylinders (21) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) according to the present embodiment are separated as shown in FIG. [0091] The cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) includes an outer cylinder (24) and an inner cylinder (25) which are connected by an end plate The cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) includes, in the same manner as the first rotation mechanism an outer cylinder (24) and an inner cylinder (25) which are connected by an end plate One side of the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) slidably contacts one side of the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S).

[0092] The end plates (26) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) serve as a partition plate A seal ring (6c) is provided between the end plates (26).

The seal ring (6c) serves as a compliance mechanism (60) for the axial direction and the radius direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0093] Specifically, as the cylinders (21) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) move in the radius direction, respectively, the gaps between the cylinders (21) in the radius direction are individually adjusted to a minimum. As a result, thrust losses do not occur, thereby reducing the gaps between the cylinders (21) in the radius direction. At this time, space between the end plates (26) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are set to a low suction pressure or an intermediate pressure between the low suction pressure and the high discharge pressure.

[0094] Since the cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) are separated, the thrust losses do not occur and the cylinders move separately. Other structural features and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0095] If the pressure between the end plates (26) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are set to a high discharge pressure, the refrigerant pressures exerted on the cylinders (21) do not cancel out each other.

[0096] (Fourth Embodiment) In addition to the separation of the cylinders (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the second rotation mechanism (2S) according to the third embodiment, a balance weight (75) is provided in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 6.

[0097] Specifically, the balance weight (75) is attached to the eccentric part (35) of the drive shaft The balance weight (75) protrudes in the direction opposite to the protrusion of the eccentric part (35) and located between the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the end plate (26) of the cylinder (21) of the second rotation mechanism Between the end plates (26) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and space is provided at the end of the balance weight opposite to the direction of protrusion of the balance weight [0098] As the balance weight (75) is thus provided, imbalance due to the eccentric rotation of the cylinders (21) is eliminated.

[0099] Since the balance weight (75) is provided between the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and the drive shaft (33) is prevented from flexure.

[0100] Further, a seal ring (6b) serving as a compliance mechanism (60) is provided at the end of the piston Other structural features and effects are the same as those of the third embodiment. The pressure between the end plates (26) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are set to a low suction pressure or an intermediate pressure between the low pressure and a high discharge pressure. As a result, the refrigerant pressures exerted on the two cylinders (21) cancel out each other.

[0101] If the pressure between the end plates (26) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) is set to a high discharge pressure, the refrigerant pressures exerted on the two cylinders (21) do not cancel out each other.

[0102] (Other Embodiments) The following variations may be added to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] According to the present invention, the cylinder (21) may be a stationary part and the piston (22) may be a moving part. In this case, the piston (22) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the piston (22) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) are provided at the sides of the partition plate respectively.

[0104] According to the present invention, the piston (22) and the cylinder (21) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) may be a stationary part and a moving part, respectively, and the cylinder (21) and the piston (22) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) may be a stationary part and a moving part, respectively.

[0105] According to the present invention, the moving parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) may be eccentric in the opposite direction to each other.

Specifically, the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the second rotation mechanism (2S) may rotate with a 180' phase difference from each other. In this case, torque fluctuations due to volumetric difference between the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) are reduced.

[0106] Alternatively, the moving parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) may be eccentric in different directions with an angle of 900. Specifically, the first rotation mechanism (2F) and the second rotation mechanism (2S) may rotate with a phase difference from each other.

[0107] As the moving parts of the compressor are eccentric, torque fluctuations occur as shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, graph A indicates torque fluctuations that occurred when only the first rotation mechanism (2F) is provided and the outer compression chamber (51) only is formed therein. In this case, the torque varies significantly while the suction and discharge are carried out.

[0108] Graph B in FIG. 7 indicates torque fluctuations that occurred when the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are provided, only the outer compression chambers (51) are formed therein, respectively, and the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) rotate with a 1800 phase difference from each other. In this case, discharge occurs twice as the drive shaft (33) makes a single rotation. Therefore, the torque fluctuations are reduced as compared with the case of graph A.

[0109] Graph C in FIG. 7 indicates torque fluctuations that occurred when only the first rotation mechanism (2F) is provided and the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) are formed therein. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment, discharge occurs twice as the drive shaft (33) makes a single rotation.

Therefore, the torque fluctuations are reduced as compared with the case of graph A.

[0110] Graph D in FIG. 7 indicates torque fluctuations that occurred when the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are provided, the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) are formed in both of them, and the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) rotate with a 900 phase difference from each other. In this case, the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) of the first rotation mechanism (2F) have a 1800 phase difference from each other, while the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) of the second rotation mechanism (2S) also have a 1800 phase difference from each other. In addition, as the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) rotate with a 900 phase difference from each other, discharge occurs four times as the drive shaft (33) makes a single rotation. Therefore, the torque fluctuations are significantly reduced as compared with the case of graph A.

[0111] Graph E in FIG. 7 indicates torque fluctuations that occurred when the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) are provided, the outer and inner compression chambers (51) and (52) are formed in both of them and the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) rotate with a 900 phase difference from each other. In addition, the positions of the vertical holes (43) serving as the suction ports are adjusted. In this case, the torque fluctuations are further reduced as compared with the case of graph D.

[0112] In the present invention, the refrigerant may be compressed in two stages.

Specifically, the refrigerant is first guided into the inner compression chambers (52) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) for the first compression. At this time, the inner compression chambers (52) serve as the low-stage compression chambers. Then, the compressed refrigerant is guided to the outer compression chambers (51) of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) for the second compression, and then discharged. That is, the outer compression chambers (51) are the high-stage compression chambers. In this manner, the two-stage compression may be carried out.

[0113] Further, according to the present invention, the refrigerant may be subjected to compression and expansion. First, the refrigerant is guided into the outer working chambers of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (25) for compression. At this time, the outer working chambers serve as the compression chambers. Then, the compressed refrigerant is cooled and guided into the inner working chambers of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and (2S) for expansion. At this time, the inner working chambers serve as the expansion chambers. Thereafter, the expanded refrigerant is evaporated and then guided into the outer working chambers of the first and second rotation mechanisms (2F) and Thus, these steps are repeated.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0114] As described above, the present invention is useful as a rotary fluid machine including two working chambers in a cylinder chamber. In particular, the present invention is suitable for a rotary fluid machine including two rotation mechanisms.

Claims

1. A rotary fluid machine comprising a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism, each of which including: a cylinder having an annular cylinder chamber; an annular piston which is contained in the cylinder chamber to be eccentric to the cylinder and divides the cylinder chamber into an outer working chamber and an inner working chamber; and a blade which is arranged in the cylinder chamber to divide each of the working chambers into a high pressure region and a low pressure region, the piston and the cylinder serving as co-operating parts and any one of the piston and the cylinder being stationary and the other being moving such that the moving co-operating part rotates about the stationary co-operating part, wherein: Is the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged to be adjacent to each other with a partition plate sandwiched therebetween; the two moving co-operating parts or the two stationary co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged such that one of the co-operating parts is provided at one side of the partition plate and the other is provided at the other side of the partition plate; and the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are configured to rotate with a 900 phase difference from each other.

2. A rotary fluid machine comprising a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism, each of which including: a cylinder having an annular cylinder chamber; an annular piston which is contained in the cylinder chamber to be eccentric to the cylinder and divides the cylinder chamber into an outer working chamber and an inner working chamber; and a blade which is arranged in the cylinder chamber to divide each of the working chambers into a high pressure region and a low pressure region, the piston and the cylinder serving as co-operating parts and any one of the piston and the cylinder being stationary and the other being moving such that the moving co-operating part rotates about the stationary co-operating part, wherein: AH211931136 I):MLW the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged to be adjacent to each other with a partition plate sandwiched therebetween; the two moving co-operating parts or the two stationary co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are arranged such that one of the co-operating parts is provided at one side of the partition plate and the other is N, provided at the other side of the partition plate; the first and second rotation mechanism are arranged between two housings in the casing and the moving co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft; a compliance mechanism for adjusting the positions of the co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms in the axial direction of the drive shaft is provided; and the compliance mechanism is configured to fix one housing to the casing and allow the other housing to be movable in the axial direction of the drive shaft such that gaps between the co-operating parts in the axial direction are adjusted by the action of a high pressure fluid on the back surface of the movable housing.

3. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism serve as low-stage compression chambers and the outer working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism serve as high-stage compression chambers.

4. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the outer working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism serve as compression chambers; and the inner working chambers of the cylinder chambers of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism serve as expansion chambers.

The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the partition plate serves as the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism.

6. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the co-operating part of the first rotation mechanism and the co-operating part of the second rotation mechanism adjacent to the first rotation mechanism have individual end plates; and AH21(1931136 I):MLW the partition plate is formed of the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms.

7. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1, wherein: the moving co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft and each of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism is provided with a compliance mechanism for adjusting the position of the co-operating parts in the axial direction of the drive shaft.

8. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the moving co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft; and each of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism is provided with a compliance mechanism for adjusting the position of the co-operating parts in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft. Is

9. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 6, wherein: the moving co-operating parts of the first and second rotation mechanisms are connected to a drive shaft; and a balance weight is provided at part of the drive shaft located between the end plates of the co-operating parts of the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism adjacent to each other.

The rotary fluid machine according to claim 2, wherein the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism are configured to rotate with a 90' phase difference from each other.

11. The rotary fluid machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: in each of the first and second rotation mechanisms, part of the annular piston is cut off such that the piston is C-shaped; the blade extends from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface of the cylinder chamber and passes through the cut-off portion of the piston; and a swing bushing is provided in the cut-off portion of the piston to contact the piston and the blade via the surfaces thereof such that the blade freely reciprocates and the blade and the piston make relative swings. AH21(1931136 I):MLW r

12. A rotary fluid machine substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments as that embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. s Dated 22 January 2009 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON AH21(1931136 1):MLW